Prince Mohammed’s diplomacy pays off

JEDDAH: 16 April 2015

Defense Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s diplomatic overtures paid off with UN Security Council issuing a key resolution without Russian veto to impose an arms embargo on the Iran-backed Houthi militia.

Prince Mohammed telephoned Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Oleg Ozerov on Wednesday to thank him for the positive Russian stand on the Yemeni resolution and discuss prospects of expanding bilateral cooperation.

Ozerov had held a series of talks with Prince Mohammed in coordination with the Russian government, said a report carried by sabg.org electronic newspaper on Wednesday. The last meeting between the two was held at Al-Ouja Palace in Riyadh a few days ago, it added.

“The UN resolution, proposed by the GCC countries and passed without a Russian veto, reflects the success of Prince Mohammed’s diplomatic endeavors,” the Arabic newspaper said quoting an informed source.

The UN Security Council passed Resolution 2216 with the support of 14 countries and abstention of a single country — Russia.

Saudi lawyer Ala Al-Ghamdi said the UN resolution was a diplomatic success for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. “It’s a major step toward realizing the objectives of Operation Decisive Storm. It also reflects the international community’s confidence in Saudi Arabia’s endeavors to establish global peace and stability,” Al-Ghamdi said.

Ahmed Khabti, another lawyer, said the UN resolution would strengthen Arabs’ confidence in the United Nations and the Security Council. “The resolution backs the legitimacy of the Saudi-led alliance and considers the Houthi leaders as war criminals,” Khabti said. “It also stresses the soundness of the decision taken by Saudi Arabia to end the Yemen crisis,” he added.